On Hope

I have been told that Environmentalists are a negative bunch. I understand that the majority of conversations that environmentalists have are about how things are not going very well. We tend to talk about how we are cutting down the rainforests or poisoning the water and the air.

The Green Party is about the light of hope. I had to speak at an Earth Day event last night so I did a little research on Earth Day. An American Senator who wanted to raise the profile of environmental issues started Earth Day. He had only a little bit of money and the help of dedicated students, who worked mostly for free. The task was monumental and they felt as they neared Apr 22, 1970 that the first Earth Day would not be what they wanted it to be.

People however pulled together and groups right across the United States had teach-ins and tree plantings and many other events. These events were grassroots driven showing that people matter more than profit.

Last night that was the real message of Earth Day. It was just like the first Earth Day. We are over- taxed, under funded and right in the middle of preparing for an election. We still took time out to celebrate Earth Day. I saw people give their time and money to have a celebration for the Earth. Musicians like DJ Kraus, Luke, Lisa and Pat, Hex and DJ Geordy donated their skills. In keeping with a long time Green Party slogan of “Think Global, Drink Local” we served locally brewed Wild Rose beer. Wild Rose also sponsored the event. We danced until late in the night listening to African drums and celebrating the joy of the Earth. We raised the profile of environmental issues. We did it for the second year in a row.

People over profit.

Hope.

Green Party Convention, Bi-annual General Meeting, Green Gathering

The Federal Green Party Convention will be in Calgary this year. This is the first time in 4 years that it has been in the West. More specifically it will be at Camp Kiwanis just East of Calgary on Aug 26 through 29th. It looks like the fee will be $195 which will include accommodations and meals.

The camp is 140 acres of trees right on the Elbow River. So the Green Party will be out in the wilderness as is fitting. I attended the federal convention in Montreal and it was one of the most important things I have done as a green.

We are not about politics as usual. What strengthens the Green Party and makes us different is the sense of community and shared struggle that we get from things like national conventions. If you have ever felt you are just a voice in the wilderness and that no one else is working on or caring about any of this, you should come to the Green Party convention. Come out and meet some of the people who are working from coast-to-coast on making the world a better place.

We always say think globally act locally. It is nice to meet some of the people who are acting in the other locals on our behalf.

The other reason you should think about coming is that if the Green Party can have a big convention in the heart of red neck, Kyoto hating Alberta well then maybe just maybe things are starting to change.

Almost There

I just finished the run through the federal Medicine Hat riding on Saturday. We were in Brooks, Medicine Hat and Taber. One of the people in Medicine Hat offered to run as a federal candidate. That puts us at 27 out of 28 ridings filled.

I am ecstatic. We are very close to achieving the goal of a full slate of federal candidates for Alberta. The federal election is the first act in a three act play. We will be building the party through the Federal election. We will be consolidating and regrouping right after. Then we will be pushing to make a strong showing in the provincial. Getting 28 candidates for 28 federal ridings puts us in a strong position to push for 83 candidates in the provincial election.

I have begun to take names of people who would like to be provincial candidates. To be a provincial candidate you need to:

1. Be able to vote in Alberta
2. Be a member of the party,
3. Have a $500 deposit,
4. Find 25 signatures from people who live in your riding
5. A chief agent to do your books.

If you are interested please send me an e-mail my contact info is in the top right.

If we can do it in Alberta we can do it anywhere.